Hello everyone, I’m Cheyenne Blue, and thanks to the good natures of my friends Andi Marquette and Jove Belle, I’m creeping into the hallowed space of Women and Words to talk about my latest book, All at Sea.
Much of the book takes place on a yacht in the Tasman Sea off the southeast coast of Australia. A party on her family’s pleasure cruiser goes very wrong for Stevie and after getting horribly drunk, she escapes her concerned sister by hiding on an old yacht moored nearby. Stevie thinks she’ll sleep off the booze and then make her way home. But the next morning, she wakes out to sea.
Kaz is an ecowarrior on her way to an environmental protest—and she’s on a tight schedule, one that won’t allow her to return her inadvertent stowaway to shore. Trouble is, Stevie is due to start her new job as a registered nurse in a few days.
Back when I was writing All at Sea, the theme of an environmental warrior trying to save the oceans seemed very topical. After all, climate change was the big news of the day, and ordinary everyday people were starting to do more than simply sign petitions and recycle their wine bottles. There were protests, donations, new and different ways of helping the planet, and the news was chock-a-block with what governments around the world were (or weren’t) doing to try and mitigate climate change.
Then, of course, the coronashit really hit the fan. And suddenly, All at Sea is topical in a totally different way. Many of us are in lockdown, trying to navigate our new lives without going stir-crazy confined to a small space. Maybe we’re finding we have to make more of an effort to get along with the people we’re sharing that space with. We’re wondering how to exercise, cook with limited supplies, and pass the time. And we’re turning to our pets for comfort and entertainment.
It all sounds very like Stevie and Kaz, two very different people confined on a small boat, trying to navigate their way to a sort of détente. They’re luckier than many of us in that their confined space comes with an endless view of the ever-changing ocean, and they have Kaz’s seafaring cat Sinbad with them. You probably have a hot shower in your apartment though, so you’re luckier than Stevie and Kaz in that respect.
Of course, along the way, Stevie and Kaz find they are more alike than they first think and forge a very definite rapport. This book is definitely not a murder-at-sea story!
I hope that you’re coping with your own lockdowns, and have found ways to make them more bearable, maybe even pleasurable. Reading is one thing that’s getting me through my own Coronacation. Gin is another. Maybe Stevie, Kaz, and Sinbad (of course) will help you through your own isolation.
All at Sea is out now and available from Ylva Publishing, Amazon, and usual retailers.
One lucky commenter will win an Ebook copy of All at Sea, so please do leave a comment below.
Looking forward to reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to reading but whomever wins Congratulations
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds very interesting 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to reading :-). I enjoy reading all your books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a very interesting read! Will probably buy it anyway!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is already on my wishlist. Looking forward to reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always look forward to reading a new book by Cheyenne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting topic
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure reading new book from Cheyenne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a good book. I love stories at sea!! Throw in eco warriors and lesbians and its a winner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All other things aside, what’s your favorite way to fix Gin? 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question, AC! 🙂 Gin on the rocks with good quality tonic (Fevertree Mediterranean or Elderflower is a favourite, although Coles supermarket does a pretty good own brand one imported from Italy). Then a slice or three of dehydrated citrus, like grapefruit, lime or lemon. Depending on the gin, I often add a sprig of rosemary. If it’s a floral gin I don’t, but for the dryer ones, I love it! I’m not a fan of cucumber in gin – I find it too strong. Cheap gin can be saved with good tonic, but crap tonic will wreck good gin. What’s your favourite way? Always up for an in-depth discussion on this! A long reply, but you did ask.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, the reason I asked was that I bought some for the first time ever when I was in the liquor store a couple of months ago. I was there for some Bailey’s but there was a Rep from the Clonakilty Distillery in County Cork, Ireland with a display. He kind of sold me on it. Funny thing is, he also recommended Fevertree tonic water with lime for a great refreshing summer drink. I’m waiting for our day of summer to arrive here…hahaha I’ll have to let you know my review of it. ((smiles))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clonakilty has a gin distillery?! OMG, I have to move there now, as Clonakility also makes excellent black pudding (blood sausage) and white pudding (ditto, but without the blood). 🙂 I await your gin review.
LikeLike
Great to hear from you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a story I’d enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A book set on a boat sounds fun! Especially one that isn’t historical fiction (not that that’s a bad thing either)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh the plot sounds great
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a nice getaway to enjoy during these unique times. I’m in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a good one. Please count me in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds great. Please add me to the drawing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book sounds interesting. I haven’t read many books with nautical themes. Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for offering this. Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book is on my to buy list, I’m looking forward to reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to go on a sea voyage, but it would have to be on a boat with a hot shower 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a good read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could get use to yachting around Australia 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmmmmm, gin!! Pair that with a good book and we have a winning combination. Hopefully in my favour!! Please everyone, take care and stay safe!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t like gin, myself, but do wanna read the book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like an interesting idea. Hope they make it in the end.
LikeLike
Would love to read the book sounds interesting.
LikeLike
Saling’s my favourite sport. (My family’s sailboat competed in its class at the summer Olympics in . . .well, let’s just say more years ago than the age of most readers here.) 😉 Can’t wait to read All at Sea!
LikeLike
Better late than never :-)….thanks for the nudge from the newsletter.
I have such a huge list of ‘wants’ as regards books to read, even when I whittle it down to ReallyGoodAuthors, and this certainly fits that category.
And on a note I can only ascribe to ‘tales of the bizarre in real life’, or ‘does synchronicty matter?’ my wife just brought in the mail, and laughed for a good long while as she gave me a personally addressed, handwritten letter from a lady who had visited the front door on behalf of Jehovah’s Witness a couple of years ago. Holy cow, she remembered everything from our chat–probably because I was the only one to speak with her for miles. Well, I will take that as a sign; I will figure out what kind later.
Stay safe, all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As with the comment above, thanks for the heads up on the contest in your newsletter. I’m all abroad for a chance to win an ebook copy of “All at Sea”😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, sounds really good!!! It is on my list of tbr, whether I win or not! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey everyone ! Book sounds great I cant wait to read it !
LikeLiked by 1 person